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It was a very proud day when my oldest child, Jack, entered kindergarten. He didn’t cry at all. But I did. I was filled with pride and excitement for him. Just one little thing bothered me – a lot: The school lunch menu. I had talked to many parents, vegan/vegetarian and non-vegetarian, who also wanted to see healthier plant-based lunches offered in the cafeteria, so I decided to call the director of our Child Nutrition Department with my concerns. She graciously requested I send in some menu ideas. I immediately solicited the help from two health conscious friends whose children attended the same school. They were on board immediately and Project Healthy Beginnings was born. It took us several meetings in the park, toddlers in tow – but we ended up creating one dozen plant-based lunch menus that included nutrient breakdowns and met all USDA requirements. We were inspired. When we submitted the menus we included a pro - vegetarian health article by the late Dr. Spock, and heartfelt letters written by our children. We were very proud. Alas, our requests were ultimately dismissed on the basis that our children were a small minority (and here I thought all children needed healthy foods) and because our “philosophy of life” was “not recognized or appropriate to promote.” according to the Assistant Superintendent. We disagreed. And we didn’t give up. We have been advocating for the inclusion of Vegan/vegetarian children and the health of all children ever since. We may be a small minority, but we are a strong minority with truth and love on our side. With time and commitment, our persistence has begun to pay off. Our last monthly school lunch menu boasted 40% vegetarian lunches –including a weekly veggie burger - and an enhanced salad bar that would include beans so that all children could benefit from building an entire USDA meal from the salad bar – beans fulfilling the “meat – alternate” requirement. And the chocolate milk and hot dog posters are giving way to colorful promotions for fruits and vegetables with the 5-a-day message. We are making a difference! Last December I decided to put together a Project Healthy Beginnings packet of support materials and take our case to the state legislature. I was met in Sacramento by 3 more motivated women and our goal was to find an author to introduce a State Resolution that would call for an optional plant-based daily lunch entrée. We would base our resolution on a similar resolution passed in Hawaii last year. It was my first attempt at lobbying – a far cry from PTA politics – and I tried to keep my expectations in check. The experience ended up to be exhilarating and inspiring. Every office I met with was receptive and enthusiastic. It was such a contrast to the initial response of my local school district. The very next morning I received a call from Assemblyman Joe Nation’s office (of Marin) with an offer to author the Resolution. A long list of support is building for ACR 16, including the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the California Federation of Teachers, the California Association of Student Councils, and the National Resource Defense Council. It has passed through the education committee and we are confidant ACR 16 will be passed into law sometime later this year. As we watch our children grow, so too grows our commitment to the American values of choice, health, and respect for diversity. We know that parents everywhere support our mission to create a healthier environment and future for all children. They understand the vital link between better health and better grades; better health and a higher quality of life. The time has come for schools to live up to their educational obligation by including this critical information and the vegetarian perspective in health education for all grades. As I write this article, I am reflecting with pride on the academic awards both Jack and his sister Lucy received just last week. They are bright, active vegan kids and they, along with other vegan/vegetarian children deserve to have their lifestyle acknowledged and affirmed within the school community. It is my aspiration that the passage of ACR 16 will pave the way for all kids to learn a healthier way of life in – of all places – school. For more information visit our website www.veggieschoollunches.com or contact Barbara Gates at phbeginnings@aol.com * Barbara Gates is the mother of two elementary age school children and active as the PTA health representative at their school in East San Diego County. She co-founded Project Healthy Beginnings in 2000 with other concerned PTA moms to bring together parents, students, health professionals, environmentalists, and religious leaders to promote plant-based vegetarian options in school. Gradually, she is also returning to her other passions – acting/singing and writing. She currently teaches an after school drama program.
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